The hamburgers served here are something special. And service is a blast from the past. Pull into a space and flash your lights. Oh, what a selection of burgers, on nice butter-toasted buns! A Galley Boy is a double cheeseburger dressed with two sauces, one mayonnaise-style with bits of onion added, the other zesty barbecue.

Highlighted Reviews

"There are a bunch of Swensons around Akron. The original one (since 1934) was razed not too long ago. A modern, retro-designed place was erected in its place. Akron burger connoisseurs told us they miss the well-aged charm of the old place; but the hamburgers served ..."
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Pennie Stringer

November 24, 2007

"The burgers are the main claim to fame at Swensons. The warm, slightly sweet bun holds a thin but flavorful burger. I like mine as a cheeseburger, with pickle, onion and ketchup. If you order the Galley Boy, you get two patties, two sauces, and cheese, with a ..."
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"Swensons offers several dipping sauce options for your fried zucchini, but they are tasty enough to stand on their own."
Cliff Strutz

"This Galley Boy, ordered 'to go' is identified as something special by a Spanish olive stuck on top."
Michael Stern

"Swenson's offers a large roster of creamy milk shakes to choose from. That is cherry on the left and pomegranate, an occasional special, on the right."
Cliff Strutz

"Although it is not overly large, Swenson's sloppy Joe is meaty, full of flavor and a real bargain at $2.00."
Cliff Strutz

"The day we visited, Swensons was offering a 32-ounce drink for the price of a 16-ounce drink. At the right of this photo is a 32-ounce California, sided by a 12-ounce root beer for comparison's sake."
Michael Stern

"All of the burgers, like this triple-pattied beauty, come with mustard, pickle, and onion."
Cliff Strutz

"Expect great service at Swenson's. The young carhops are always cheerful and literally run from car to car to take orders."
Cliff Strutz

"Galley Boys are available in a basket with French fries and cole slaw or apple sauce for $2 extra."
Michael Stern

"Akron's Hamburger Heaven for over seventy years. The cornerstone of this new building reads 1934, which is when the first Swensons opened just yards away from here. It's a small building because there is no seating inside. All service is via speeding car hops who, when they take your order, tell you how many minutes it will be until it arrives at the car."
Michael Stern